House of Fraser will ask its home and fashion suppliers to use a new digital tool that will help them better identify sustainability measures across their operations in a bid to reduce its environmental impact.

Xavier Romatet, in the process of leaving Conde Nast International, has already been negotiating with unions at Groupe Marie Claire in recent weeks on a restructuring of the French media group, sources have said.

Harrods MD Michael Ward is upbeat on the change the next few years will bring but says it will be tough for rivals without a USP as the store spends mega-money to focus on experiences, Millennials and the global shopper.

Claire’s Stores Inc said on Monday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and expects to reduce debt by about $1.9 billion, as the struggling retailer of girls’ accessories combats a fall in mall traffic.

While UK shopping mall giants Hammerson and Intu are accelerating towards their planned merger, the plans could be impacted by the arrival of Klepierre, with reports emerging that it made a bid for Hammerson this month.

French luxury goods group Kering has complied with its tax obligations in Switzerland, it said on Friday, responding to newspaper reports alleging that the company used a Swiss-based scheme to evade taxes on earnings.